Method of dispersing an insoluble material in aqueous solution and agricultural formulation

Abstract

A method of dispersing an insoluble material in an aqueous solution comprising the following steps: (i) providing a formulation comprising at least one insoluble material and at least one dispersant comprising a water soluble agriculturally acceptable derivative of an alternating copolymer or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof wherein said alternating copolymer comprises at least one residue of a first comonomer and at least one residue of a second comonomer, wherein said first comonomer comprises αβ-unsaturated oxyacids or anhydrides and said second comonomer comprises olefinic compounds containing one or more polymerizable double bonds; and (ii) dispersing said formulation in an aqueous medium.

1. A method of dispersing an active, water-insoluble, solid agrochemical principal in an aqueous solution comprising the following steps: 
       (i) providing a formulation comprising at least one active, water-insoluble, solid agrochemical principal and at least one dispersant comprising a water-soluble, agriculturally acceptable derivative of an alternating copolymer or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof wherein said alternating copolymer comprises at least one residue of a first comonomer and at least one residue of a second comonomer, wherein said first comonomer comprises an α,β-unsaturated oxyacid, or an anhydride or other derivative thereof; and said second comonomer comprises an olefinic compound containing one or more polymerizable double bonds, or a derivative thereof; and  
       (ii) dispersing said formulation in an aqueous medium to form a suspension of the active, water-insoluble, solid agrochemical principal;  
       wherein said first comonomer is selected from the group consisting of fumaric acid and anhydride, and the esters, amides and imides derived from them; maleic acid esters, amides and imides; itaconic acid and anhydride and the corresponding esters, amides and imides derived from them; acrylic and methacrylic acids and the corresponding esters and amides derived from them; vinylphosphonic acid and the corresponding esters and amides derived from it; and ethylene sulphonic acid and the esters and amides derived from it. 
     
     
       2. A method of dispersing an active, water-insoluble, solid agrochemical principal in an aqueous solution comprising the following steps: 
       (i) providing a formulation comprising at least one active, water-insoluble, solid agrochemical principal and at least one dispersant comprising a water-soluble, agriculturally acceptable derivative of an alternating copolymer or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof wherein said alternating copolymer comprises at least one residue of a first comonomer and at least one residue of a second comonomer, wherein said first comonomer comprises an α,β-unsaturated oxyacid, or an anhydride or other derivative thereof; and said second comonomer comprises an olefinic compound containing one or more polymerizable double bonds, or a derivative thereof; and  
       (ii) dispersing said formulation in an aqueous medium to form a suspension of the active, water-insoluble, solid agrochemical principal,  
       wherein said second comonomer is selected from the group consisting of styrene and its alkyl and halo derivatives, vinyl ethers and esters, internal olefins, exocyclic and endocyclic olefins, allylic alcohols and their corresponding ester derivatives, allylic ethers and allylic halo compounds, allylic aryl compounds, vinyl amides, vinyl chlorides and vinylidene chloride. 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the alternating copolymer has an alternating character defined by greater than 70% of consecutive comonomer residue units being alternate between residues of the first comonomer and the second comonomer. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the alternating copolymer has an alternating character defined by greater than 90% of consecutive comonomer residue units being alternate between residues of the first comonomer and the second comonomer. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the alternating copolymer contains additional comonomer residues which will not substantially change the alternating character of the copolymer. 
     
     
       6. A method according to  claim 2  wherein the first comonomer is selected from the group consisting of fumaric acid, maleic acid and anhydrides, and the esters, amides and imides derived from them; itaconic acids and anhydride and the corresponding esters amides and imides derived from them; acrylic and methacrylic acids and the corresponding esters and amides derived from them; vinylphosphonic acid and the corresponding esters and amides derived from it; and ethylene sulphonic acid and the esters and amides derived from it. 
     
     
       7. A method according to  claim 1  wherein the second comonomer is selected from the group consisting of styrene and its alkyl and halo derivatives, vinyl ethers and esters, α-olefins, internal olefins, exocyclic and endocyclic olefins, allyic alcohols and their corresponding ester derivatives, allylic ethers and allylic halo compounds, allylic aryl compounds, vinyl amides, vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride.